Good News OFWS: Philhealth and Pag-ibig not MANDATORY ANYMORE!

This is good news to all OFWs. 

We sent an email inquiry to POEA confirming this matter and here is the reply:

PEBA: "Pag kukuha po ba kami ng OEC ngayon starting April 1, MANDATORY pa rin po ba na hahanapan o pababayarin kami ng PHILHEALTH and PAG-IBIG or pwede na makakuha ng OEC lang without paying ng mga ito?"

POEA:  "Yes we are no longer requiring Philhealth and Pag-Ibig contribution payments in the process of securing OECs. The OWWA contribution, however, will still have to be paid."

So it means those who wants to pay only OEC and OWWA will only pay around P1,000 - P1300 in order to SECURE OEC o Balik Manggagawa Certificate


***********

From Philhealth

Starting April 1, vacationing and
re-hired overseas Filipino workers will have to pay their premium contributions
to the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) separately from
their payments to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) for
their Overseas Employment Certificates (OECs).

This development is in line with the
decision of the POEA to implement a single collection policy starting on the
same date. The POEA will only be collecting fees for OEC and no longer for
PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG Fund.

image by R. Llanda

The collection counters of
PhilHealth and other government agencies, however, will be retained at POEA in
Mandaluyong City and in the one-stop shops of POEA nationwide.

“We call on our OFW-members to pay
their PhilHealth premium contributions first before going to the POEA for their
OECs. This will secure their social health insurance coverage, as well as that
of their legal dependents, for their peace of mind,” said PhilHealth President and CEO Alexander A. Padilla.

Padilla added that “OFW-members may still pay
their premium contributions at the designated PhilHealth counters at the
Balik-Manggagawa Center at the POEA in Mandaluyong City, as well as through any
of the 27 accredited collecting partners that we have earlier authorized for
local collection from OFW-members. They may also pay at our Local Health
Insurance Offices nationwide.”

Overseas Filipinos pay P2,400.00
annually for their premium contribution to PhilHealth. The amount includes
coverage for all qualified legal dependents of a migrant worker such as legal
spouse who is not a PhilHealth member; legitimate and illegitimate children
below 21 years old, unmarried and unemployed; and parents who are below 60
years old but are suffering from permanent disability which renders them
totally dependent on the member for support.

Parents who are 60 years old and
above and are not yet PhilHealth members may enrol under the Senior Citizen
category.

PhilHealth pays for overseas
hospitalization of migrant workers, as well as for the confinement of their
legal dependents in the Philippines, through a reimbursement mechanism. Migrant
workers have 180 calendar days from the date of discharge to file their claim
documents through any of PhilHealth’s 17 Regional Offices in the Philippines. All
refunds are paid for in Philippine peso equivalent. (END)

PAYMENT OF PREMIUM CONTRIBUTIONS
OF MIGRANT WORKERS 

EFFECTIVE
APRIL 1, 2015 

Starting April 1, vacationing OFWs or balik-manggagawa returning to their
destinations overseas, must proceed to the PhilHealth counters at the POEA
in Ortigas EDSA, Mandaluyong City to pay their premium contributions. 

Upon recent advice by the POEA, payments for Overseas Employment
Certificates (OECs) will no longer include PhilHealth premium contributions.
To avoid the long queue, OFWs should pay their PhilHealth premiums first
before going to POEA to get their OECs.
Premium payments may be made at designated PhilHealth Counters at
the Balik-Manggagawa Center, or through any of our accredited collecting
partners nationwide. 

The list of ACAs authorized to collect OFW premium
contributions can be found on www.philhealth.gov.ph/advisories/2014/
adv12-03-2014.pdf.
Further inquiries regarding this matter may be referred to the Overseas
Filipinos Program Office at (+63917) 5129149, (+632) 441-7444 ext. 7416
or through ofp@philhealth.gov.ph. 

by ALEXANDER A. PADILLA

Philhealth President

©2014 Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards

STARTING OCT 1, OFW WILL PAY P550 TERMINAL FEE

President Benigno S. Aquino III, Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya and Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) general manager Jose Angel Honrado. (Photo by: Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau).


One volunteer asked:

("According to Section 35, of the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act 1995 (Republic Act 8042), OFWs shall be exempted from the payment of travel tax and airport terminal fee. Anong silbi ng batas na ito kung memorandum lang ay kaya palang palitan at patawan ang mga OFW ng babayarin? ")

EFFECTIVE ON OCTOBER 1, 2014 ALL OFWs who bought their ticket abroad and/or online will be paying an extra P550 Terminal Fee. Since OFWs are exempted of this scheme according to law, they are allowed to get a refund in the Philippines. Read the chronology of events and the processes, and requirements below.

COPY OF MEMORANDUM OF INTEGRATION OF TERMINAL FEE HERE

International Passenger Service Charge (IPSC) Integration Program

Initial scheme was Pay–all

All exempted pax PAY subject to refund

Dialogue with Government Stakeholders and Manning Agencies

On March 2014 there was a clamor to modify the pay-all scheme.

 

A.) IPSC  to be integrated by DEFAULT for tickets purchased ONLINE or ABROAD

B.)   IPSC will NOT  be collected for tickets purchased   from ticketing offices / travel agents  within the Philippines upon presentation of exemption certificate

On July 8, 2014  there was a Dialogue with DOLE, POEA, Land-based and NGOs including the Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards, or PEBA, Inc.

July 21, 2014  :  Update concerned Government Agencies on the status of the   Integration of IPSC. DOLE and POEA requested for the exemption of OFWs at the point of sale even if purchased abroad or online. 

MIAA arranged a meeting between DOLE, POEA and Air Carriers to explore the possibility of exempting OFWs even if ticket is purchased online or abroad:

On August 20, 2014  there was an  Initial dialogue between DOLE   and POEA, PAL & Cebu Pacific and on August 28, 2014,  POEA had a dialogue with Air Carriers

 

  Air Carriers agreed to study the   issues raised by DOLE and POEA for incorporation in   phase 2 of the Integration program.

Refund Process

Location

1. Refund counters located after immigration counters on departure date at the MIAA Administration Building.

Documentary Requirements

At the Terminals (on departure date after clearing Immigration)

a) Submit copy of passenger ticket / invoice / official receipt or any other document which clearly shows that exempted pax has paid the IPSC.

b) Surrender original copy of Exemption Certificate (airport copy)

c) Presentation of Boarding Pass

Documentary Requirements

At the MIAA Administration Building (by representative or upon arrival)

  In all cases, refunds must be accompanied by the following:

  

a) Duly accomplished Request for Refund Form

b) Submit copy of passenger ticket / invoice / official receipt or any other document which clearly shows that exempted pax has paid the IPSC.

c) Original copy of Exemption Certificate (airport copy)

d) Presentation of original copy of boarding pass and submission of a photocopy thereof. If original copy of the boarding pass is not available, any of the following documents:

1.Presentation of passport showing the passenger’s identity and date of departure, or

2.Certificate from the Air Carrier of the departure date of the passenger/s (in the absence of the passport)

Documentary Requirements

If refund is thru a representative:

a) Documents enumerated above; and

b) Special Power of Attorney (SPA) executed in favor of the representative; and

c)Valid Government-issued ID of the passenger’s representative for the purpose of claiming refund

 Documentary Requirements

Group Refund

a) Documents enumerated above; and

b) Special Power of Attorney (SPA) executed by the Passenger Claimants designating an entity in possession of the Exemption Certificate to claim the refund; and

c) Valid Government-issued ID of the entity’s  representative 

Another volunteer said:

"May lapses kasi dito sa TERMINAL FEE na P550. May batas na libre ang mga OFW ng Terminal Fee. Bakit hindi sinusunod ang batas?

Una: Tadtad ng requirements para makapagparefund. As an OFW na nagmamadaling umuwi sa pamilya natin, we don't have time to fall in line and process for this, kaya expect na lolobo ang 'trust fund' nila.

2nd: Kung magpaparefund ka through representative dapat may Special Power of Attorney. Magkano pagawa ng SPF? Tapos paparefund mo P550 pamasahe pa ng relatives na magpaparefund so lolobo na nga ang 'trust fund'.

3rd: Yung mga kagaya namin na nasa labas ng bansa at kumpanya ang bumibili ng ticket, embedded na daw yung terminal fee, so walang kwenta na OFW kami at exempted kasi company naman ang nagbabayad, at dahil hindi namin pera, baka sakaling di na kami magpaparefund, so mapupunta ang pera sa 'trust fund'.

4th: Yung mga kagaya ng kakilala namin na binibigay sa kanila ang pera pambili ng ticket, mababawasan ng P550 ang kanyang perang pambili, o kung apat sila sa pamilya, mababawasan ng P2200. Kung ipaparefund nila punta sa MIAA Building, fill up ng forms, pipila, at ipapakita ang mga dokumento at kung may connecting flights sila, hindi na nila paparefund kasi hassle pa, so sa 'trust fund' mapupunta ang pera."

©2014 Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards

Free Study in Pre-Employment Orientation Seminar Online of POEA with Certificate

Click here, Visit and follow how to SIGN UP in POEA 

PEOS Study Online 

Do you know that you can take up and study for FREE via ONLINE now your Pre-Employment Orientation Seminar from POEA? And after you finish the online course and passed the short quizzes, you can download or print your PEOS Certificate? 

From the POEA Administrator Facebook status: 

"Today, DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz launched the POEA-Jobstreet.com "Online Pre-Employment Orientation Seminar (PEOS)" at www.peos.poea.gov.ph

The PEOS, in 8 educational modules, aims to inform intending OFWs about the realities and risks of overseas employment. The objective is to help Filipinos arrive at an informed judgment about working overseas.

Realities such as working in completely foreign climates, cultures, and work environments are made clear, thereby dispelling the notion that life abroad is a bed of roses.

Sec Baldoz (photo) became the first Online PEOS registrant and recipient of the Certificate of Seminar Completion print-out.

Thank you, Jobstreet.com, for the strong partnership, help and support!

Tara na, online PEOS na!" - POEA Administrator, Hans Leo J. Cacdac

Here are the modules of the courses after successful sign-up. You can start your study online, take the test after each module, and after several hours or days, depending on your speed and if you passed the tests, you can download and print automatically your PEOS certificate

(Ito ang mga mapag-aaralan pagkatapos ng successful sign up. Pwede na ninyong umpisahan ang pag-aaral, kumuha ng test bawat module, at pagkatapos ng ilang oras o araw, pag nakapasa ay mapriprint na ninyo ng automatic ang inyong PEOS Certificate ng Libre.)

PEOS Learning Modules

1

MODULE 1 - PRICEST 

Contains general information about concerns when working overseas such as physical mobility, relationships, income & expenses, career movement & direction, environment, skill set, and time. 

2

MODULE 2 - JOB SEARCH 

Contains specific information on the various application channels for overseas jobs, document requirements, and the importance of having 
an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC).

3

MODULE 3 - FOREWARNED, FOREARMED 

Contains information on precautionary measures for illegal recruitment and various forms of illegal recruitment

4

MODULE 4 - GET THE PRICES RIGHT! 

Contains a list of required fees for pre-departure including placement fee rulings as well as government-mandated fees.

5

MODULE 5 - SEAL THE DEAL 

Contains a list of required fees for pre-departure including placement fee rulings as well as government-mandated fees.

6

MODULE 6 - GET COUNTRY COZY! 

Continue to keep your options open; get to know more about the country you are interested in -  know the climate, food, dress code, general lifestyle, flying time from the Philippines, major religion, currency and currency exchange, presence of Philippine embassy or Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO).

7

MODULE 7 - STAYING HEALTHY AND KEEPING SAFE 

Contains information about the top security and health risks that Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) may encounter.

8

MODULE 8 - POEA - CARING ALL THE WAY 

Directory of the POEA regional offices and extension units.

9

Print PEOS Certificate of Completion 

Completion of the modules will unlock the link to printing your Certificate of Completion.

©2014 THOUGHTSKOTO

OFFICIAL LIST OF POEA BLACKLISTED/WATCHLIST COMPANIES ABROAD

This is the official list from the POEA watchlisted companies secured through the cooperation of PEBA, LBS, PATNUBAY, BLAS OPLE and FMW to the POEA through Admin Hans Cacdac.

The presence of your principal/sponsor name in this list may mean that you cannot secure Overseas Employment Certificate or OEC and may not be able to return back to your employer if you leave for vacation to the Philippines.
If you have any queries, please leave a comment below or sent an email to contact@pinoyblogawards.com or contact POEA for Employment Abroad Concerns.

For easy navigation, click the arrow/button at the left side. We are working on a friendly list. Please bear with us this is the official document from the POEA without country or region designation.

POEA chief Hans Cacdac enumerated them as:

1. ABC MANILA INTERNATIONAL INC.
2. AISIS INTERNATIONAL MANPOWER INC.
3. AL-ABEER MANPOWER SERVICES INC.
4. AL MUSTAQBAL INTERNATIONAL INC.
5. AL TAKA MANPOWER SERVICES INC.
6. ALL-PRO STAFFING & CONSULTING SERVICES
7. ALLSKILLS MANPOWER SERVICES INC.
8. ALTIMA MANPOWER AGENCY INC.
9. ASAHI INTERNATIONAL MANPOWER CORPORATION
10. ASEAN MANAGEMENT AND TECHNICAL SERVICES INC.
11. BIG DIPPER MARITIME SERVICES CORPORATION
12. BOOM INTERNATIONAL RECRUITMENT AGENCY
13. BRIGHT INTERNATIONAL MANPOWER SERVICES
14. C.A.A. MANPOWER AGENCY
15. CROSSWIND INTERNATIONAL MANPOWER SERVICES
16. DIAMOND ROSE HUMAN RESOURCES AND SERVICES CORPORATION
17. EFFICIENT INTERNATIONAL MANPOWER SERVICES INC.
18. FMJ INTERNATIONAL MANPOWER AND ALLIED SERVICES INC.
19. FUTURISTIC INTERNATIONAL ARTIST (FIA) PROMOTION CORPORATION
20. GEMS 22 MANPOWER COMPANY
21. GLOBAL JOBSEARCH SERVICES INC.
22. GREENBACK INTERNATIONAL MANPOWER
23. GOLDEN LIME INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES
24. GOLDEN MILES PLACEMENT PROMOTION AND MANNING AGENCY COMPANY
25. HANJAN INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT INC.
26. HELAL MANPOWER AGENCY
27. HERBERT’S INTERNATIONAL INC.
28. JARDY INTERNATIONAL PROMOTION AGENCY
29. JEMSTONE GLOBAL RECRUITMENT AGENCY COMPANY INC.
30. JMP POLARIS NAVIGATION INC. AND INVESTORS ASSURANCES CORPORATION
31. KONNEXION INTERNATIONAL MANPOWER AGENCY
32. LIFELINE INTERNATIONAL PHILIPPINES INC.
33. MAJNAL RECRUITMENT AND PLACEMENT INC
34. MARHABA INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES COMPANY
35. MBC HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
36. MCLAINE MANAGEMENT CONSULTANCY GROUP INC.
37. MEDRP INTERNATIONAL PHILIPPINE INC.
38. MHHR MANPOWER RECRUITMENT & PLACEMENT AGENCY CORPORATION
39. MORLAND OVERSEAS MANPOWER
40. MSS TALENT MANAGEMENT SERVICES INC.
41. NANHAYA INTERNATIONAL RECRUITMENT INC.
42. N.A.R. TRAINING CENTER & MANAGEMENT SERVICES
43. NORTHWEST PLACEMENT INC.
44. OFW RECRUITMENT AGENCY
45. P & R MANPOWER SERVICES INC.
46. PEAK MANPOWER RESOURCES
47. PHILEMPLOY SERVICES & RESOURCES INC.
48. PHILTRADE INTERNATIONAL MANPOWER SERVICES
49. REAJENT MANPOWER SERVICES INC.
50. SAVEWAY INTERNATIONAL MANPOWER SERVICES
51. SILVER HORIZON INTERNATIONAL MANPOWER SERVICES
52. SMART INTERNATIONAL MARINE SERVICES CORP.
53. SKY RESOURCES EXCHANGE CORPORATION
54. STAFFLINE INC.
55. ST. BERNARD INTERNATIONAL MANPOWER AGENCY
56. STOCKHAUS INTERNATIONAL MANPOWER SERVICES CORPORATION
57. THE JOB CONNECTION INTERNATIONAL MANPOWER SERVICES INC.
58. THE JOBHUNTER INC.
59. TMJ INTERNATIONAL MANPOWER SERVICES
60. WELLCOME EMPLOYMENT CENTRE INC.
61. WHITE WING’S MANPOWER EXPONENT
62. W.M.G. INTERNATIONAL RECRUITMENT AGENCY
63. YES HUMAN RESOURCES INC.

PLUS THE LIST HERE over 100 companies with pending cases



You can download the complete list here

©2013 Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards

click here to comment… for bloggers

An Open Letter to Cong. Ma. Theresa Bonoan-David

Dear Congresswoman Ma. Theresa Bonoan-David,

This is a personal letter to the representative of Manila 4^th District, Ma. Theresa Bonoan-David. I will pose 10 questions for you to answer. I believe that the solution to the OFW Emergency Repatriation Fund is not the lack of funds, it is how do we make use of the money from OWWA funds.

CLICK TO THE PHOTO TO VIEW ACTUAL PHOTO PAGE

Ako po ay sumusulat sa aking blog, sapagkat itong aking munting tahanan ay nagsilbi na ring munting tinig bilang isang mamamayan at isang OFW. Minsan na rin po itong blog na lumaban sa mga taong nagkutya ng mga Caregivers, at nakipagsagutan ng blog sa taong nagsabing ang mga ‘OFW ay humahalik sa mga puwet ng dayuhan para kumita ng dolyar.’

Noong sinabi ni PNoy na babawasan niya ang funds ng mga Social Services para sa mga OFW, isa ako sa mga tumutol sapagkat nakikita natin na magiging mahirap ang mga bagay para sa ating mga OFW. Noong sinabi ng Philhealth na gagawin nila ang payment na required sa mga OFWs from P900 at magiging P2,400, isa din po ako sa mga nagblog ng pagtutol sapagkat wala akong nakikitang pakinabang para sa maraming OFW na nagbabayad ng Philheallth, kasi mas magandang Medical Insurance ang binibigay ng company dito sa Saudi Arabia or Middle East or ibang bansa kaysa sa Philhealth. Noong naging requirement ang Pag-ibig at nakita natin ang hindi maayos na sistema at paiba-ibang Pag-ibig number ang binibigay sa mga OFWs sa OWWA, ay nagreklamo tayo kay Vice Pres. Binay at sinagot naman po at pinaliwanag ng kanyang Chief of Staff.

Ang akin pong pagtutol sa mga bagay na ito ay hindi lamang para sa mga OFW kundi dahil mismo ako ay walong taon ng nagtratrabaho sa Saudi Arabia. Nabasa ko sa internet ang inyong panukalang batas na magdadagdag ng 50$ ang mga OFW na papaalis ng bansa, or maging ng mga magbabakasyon at isasama sa requirement ng OEC.

Pumutok ang balitang iyan na may inihain po kayo, Congressman Ma. Theresa Bonoan-David na House Bill (HB) No. 6195 to amend the Republic Act 8042 o ang Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995. As of this writing, your Facebook photos ay naishare na sa Facebook ng mahigit 1,000 times CONDEMNING your Bill in Congress.

CLICK TO THE PHOTO TO VIEW ACTUAL PHOTO PAGE

I would like to ask you the following questions hoping for your answer so I can better understand and maybe support your bill.

1.    Who run the OWWA? I met with OWWA Administrator Carmelita Dimzon, I just wanted a picture with her because she doesn't have time to entertain questions.

2.    Are the people working in the directorship of OWWA are former OFWs who understand our plights and situations abroad?

3.    Who audits OWWA? Let us be transparent here.

4.    Assuming there are 4,000 OFWs leaving the country every day, multiply that with 25$ we are paying as required, 4,000 x 25$ (P43) x 30 Days x 12 months = P15,48,000,000 (P15.5B) every year. Do we know where do OWWA use this money? Explain to us first where you use these funds because first and foremost we own that money. There is still a missing P551M funds from the previous administration.

5.    You said "There are millions of OFWs all over the world which the Philippine government is mandated to protect and safeguard under RA 8042 but it seems incapable to efficiently help distressed OFWs due to financial constraints” Why wouldn’t you be so noble to donate P10M from you and each of the fine congressmen from the PORK Barrel and we are talking about P10M x 200 Congressmen - a whooping P2B pesos in additional funds for OFWs!

6.    Why not make a bill or promote it so that OFWs who will retire at the age of 60 will benefit from OWWA?

7.    Sino ang nakikinabang sa mga binabayad namin na 25$? The undocumented, run aways, and those people who come as tourist and then decides to be TNT?

8.    Nakonsulta mo ba ang mga OFW groups and other NGOs sa panukalang batas na yan, Congresswoman David? I am sure they can give you very good advise. The likes of Susan Ople or Jun Aguilar?

9.    Di ba nakasaad sa RA Act 10022 or MIGRANT WORKERS AND OVERSEAS FILIPINOS ACT OF 1995 na bawal ang magbigay ng increase payments and burdens sa mga OFWs and their families?

10. Is there a way for you to pass the Bill creating an up-to-date database and locator system, disaster preparedness at mitigation measures without imposing the pay to us, OFWs?

I remind you that your political career is at stake here. Some of the OFW sentiments are strong, and emotions are high. I understand that. Just go over those comments, threading up to hundreds in FACEBOOK, TWITTER, FORUMS and Chatrooms. 

You awaken the quiet giants, 11 million strong and able men and women and their families back home, some of them maybe living in your district. If you cannot explain fully to the angry millions whom the government labeled as Bagong Bayani because of PERANG PADALA, and justify the measure, please, think of another Bill. Not this one. Tadtad na kami ng bayarin mula kaliwa't kanan sa processing and sa requirements.

Bagong bayani? Those Billions of dollars of money flowing freely to the Philippines keeps the economy afloat, feeds our families, and allow us to send our kids to school but we don't ask anything from you. We don't even rally to computerized the system of documentation and payments in OWWA so it will be a little easier for us, OFWs. We don't even demand from the people in the agencies and consulates and embassies who seem to be so honorable and unreachable with their titles to be kind to us, JUST BE KIND to us.

 We don't want glory, we want better government services and honest leaders.

Madam Congresswoman, with this BILL, you may have good intention, but you are fighting against people, the OFWs, who are already tired of politicians milking their very hard earned dollar. People who are lonely, away from their families and love ones. People who sacrifice all, bearing the heat of the desert and the cold of the night so they can provide a better future for their families. They feel the pain and frustrations, never mind the fatigue and tremendous challenges dealing with people of different background, culture and ways. WE ARE OFWs. WE ARE NOT HEROES, WE ARE FILIPINO CITIZENS of the WORLD who only wanted a better life. Don't make it hard for us.

Please be considerate. Please use your mind and heart.

A Facebook page against this Bill and to pressure Congresswoman Bonoan-David not to pass the Bill can be found here, GLOBAL OFW VOICES

©2012 THOUGHTSKOTO